Sgt. Richard Ellzey, an infantryman assigned to 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, teaches paratroopers from the U.K. Parachute Regiment how an onboard computer system in an M1296 Stryker can display real-time images from the battlefield in a combat scenario during Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, April 30, 2026. Project Flytrap is a multinational exercise intended to increase cohesive integration among different intelligence, fire and protection systems to combat evolving drone threats. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicodemus Taylor)

PABRADĖ TRAINING AREA, Lithuania — U.S. infantry Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and paratroopers from the U.K. Parachute Regiment prepared for the force-on-force phase of Project Flytrap 5.0 at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, May 2.

Project Flytrap integrates autonomous and unmanned ground vehicles, first-person view drones and counter-unmanned aerial systems on the simulated battlefield.

This marked the third consecutive day of preparation and system integration for the exercise, which included a briefing attended by participating U.S. Soldiers and U.K. paratroopers. Soldiers spent the remainder of the day conducting drone familiarization, operating unmanned ground vehicles and rehearsing counter-UAS procedures in preparation for the upcoming engagement.

Among those preparing were Army Spc. Arthur Tugman, an infantryman assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, who took on the role of unmanned ground vehicle operator to transport equipment, Soldiers, UAS and counter-UAS for the exercise, a mission set outside his traditional infantry duties.

U.S. Soldiers and U.K. paratroopers pose for a photo during preparations for Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, April 30, 2026. The exercise tests maneuver-based counter-drone systems designed to provide Soldiers with low-cost, rapidly deployable solutions against evolving aerial threats. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Max Elliott)

Pfc. Silas Moore, a signal support systems specialist assigned to 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, adjusts communications equipment on an M1296 Stryker during Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, April 30, 2026. Project Flytrap directly supports the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, NATO’s plan for a unified, layered air defense shield along its eastern borders. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicodemus Taylor)

From left, U.S. Army Spc. Alexandria Suastegui, Spc. Emilio Veliz and Pfc. Silas Moore, all signal support systems specialists assigned to 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, assemble a counter-unmanned aerial system during setup operations for Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, April 30, 2026. The exercise brings together military personnel and industry representatives to rapidly refine and evaluate counter-drone technologies in a field environment. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Max Elliott)

Sgt. 1st Class Cozzie Horsford, an infantryman assigned to 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, gives instruction to paratroopers from the U.K. Parachute Regiment during Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, April 30, 2026. Project Flytrap is part of a larger series of linked exercises collectively called Sword26 that allows the U.S. to exchange resources, expertise and intelligence with allies and partners to strengthen relationships and increase the ability to fight effectively. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicodemus Taylor)

Paratroopers from the U.K. Parachute Regiment prepare to operate an M1126 Stryker during Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, April 30, 2026. Forces from the U.S. and U.K. are participating in this iteration of the Project Flytrap exercise to increase interoperability and build relationships while also improving modern warfighting capabilities. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicodemus Taylor)

The integration of infantry Soldiers into unmanned ground vehicle operations reflects a broader theme running through Project Flytrap — placing emerging technology directly in the hands of warfighters regardless of their primary specialty and using their feedback to drive rapid improvements across the force.

The exercise aims to organically assimilate these new duties to Soldiers already assigned to units. Tugman said the speed at which his unit has been able to absorb and operate the new systems has been one of the more surprising aspects of the training.

"Something I learned that I didn't expect was how fast the United States Army is able to integrate new systems into warfighting tactics," he said. "I'd say this equipment is very easy to use. I'm able to pick it up, turn it on, and send it wherever it needs to go, as far as it needs to go, as fast as it needs to go."

That ease of use, Tugman said, has direct implications for how the Soldiers could employ these systems at scale across the force.

Pfc. Hailey Paton, an infantryman assigned to Echo Troop, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, dons first-person view goggles before operating a small unmanned aerial system during Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, May 2, 2026. Project Flytrap directly supports the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative by evaluating scalable counter-drone solutions that can integrate into NATO's existing air defense networks. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Max Elliott)

A counter-unmanned aerial system sits staged in a field during Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, May 2, 2026. Project Flytrap is a counter-unmanned aerial system exercise designed to evaluate emerging technologies and inform future Army requirements and doctrine along NATO's eastern flank. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Max Elliott)

Pfc. Hunter Merritt, an infantryman assigned to 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, replaces a vent cover on an M1296 Stryker during Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, April 30, 2026. Project Flytrap is a multinational operation that aims to help the U.S. and allies address the proliferation of drones on the battlefield by evaluating commercial solutions that can operate within NATO’s existing air defense networks. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicodemus Taylor)

U.S. Army Pfc. Adam Stark, an infantryman assigned to 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, sets up equipment in preparation for Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, April 30, 2026. Project Flytrap is a counter-unmanned aerial system exercise designed to integrate emerging technologies and inform future Army requirements and doctrine. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Max Elliott)

From left, U.S. Army Spc. Emilio Veliz and Pfc. Silas Moore, both signal support systems specialists assigned to 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, explain the capabilities of a counter-unmanned aerial system to a paratrooper with the U.K. Parachute Regiment ahead of Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, April 30, 2026. The exercise is part of V Corps' broader effort to bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and field-ready solutions for Soldiers on the front line. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Max Elliott)

"If all our technology works the way it's supposed to, we will preserve manpower as well as accomplish the mission faster and more effectively," he said.

For Tugman, the measure of success extends beyond the exercise itself. He described his goal as helping establish repeatable, standardized procedures for integrating counter-UAS and unmanned ground vehicle capabilities into the 2nd Cavalry Regiment's formations — procedures he hopes will eventually be adopted service wide.

U.S. and allied forces are conducting Project Flytrap 5.0 as part oof the Sword exercise series, including Saber Strike, Immediate Response and Swift Response, which transform experimentation into capability. During Flytrap, Soldiers integrate counter-unmanned systems, AI-enabled command and control, and live data networks to move faster, decide faster and fight more effectively across all domains.